PAGANS AND CHRISTIANS

by Robin Lane Fox ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 12, 1986

This begins as a description of pagan cult, festival and oracle in the civic order of the Roman world. It is soon placed side by side with the story of the emerging Christian movement, and the growing pains of the latter take center stage increasingly as the book moves to its conclusion around the conversion of the Emperor Constantine in A.D. 312. Fox is a classicist and historian whose last book was the successful Alexander the Great (1980). Pagan festivals were seen by the rulers as a way of maintaining the fabric of law and order. Hence, participation became a proof of loyalty that was, at times, insisted on. Here the new Christianity and the old Paganism collided. A major problem for the Church was to find a way to deal with its many adherents who just went along when faced with the possibility of execution. There were other tensions: in an age of great brutality, the Church preached love; and at a time when the range of sexual practice was wider indeed, the Christian ideal was virginity; while pagan cults had adherents, Christians made converts. If the bare facts are familiar, this big (784 p.) book has special features. The author has read the vast new literature in his fast-moving field. He takes the reader far down some side roads, though easing the way with low-key wit. And any serious ancient history has to be told in terms of how little we know of the world 2,000 years ago. At one point, economic trends are deduced from the number of games held in provincial cities. Fox notes in passing that the host city sent certified copies of the results to the participants' home towns so that the appropriate civic pensions could be paid. A book for history buffs and a major resource for ancient history and church history. His pagan world is lovingly portrayed.

Pub Date: Jan. 12, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION